WHAT IS JUNETEENTH? Juneteenth is an annual observance to celebrate the date Union soldiers enforced the
Emancipation Proclamation freeing all remaining slaves in Galveston, Texas, on June 19, 1865. Texas was the last
state in rebellion, following the end of the Civil War, to allow enslavement. Although the rumors of freedom
were widespread prior to this, actual emancipation was not announced in the last state practicing enslavement until General Gordon Granger came to Galveston, Texas and issuedGeneral Order #3, on the"19th of June",
almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed theEmancipation Proclamation.

Con. Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Former Chairman of the National Juneteenth Congressional Committee of the NJOF Read More

Con. Randy Weber sponsor of
Juneteenth Legislation in the U.S. House oif Representatives in 2016Read Moore
Con. Sheila Jackson Lee sponsor
of Juneteenth Legislation in the
U.S. House oif Representatives in
2017Read MooreSen. Roger Wicker sponsor
Juneteenth Legislation
in the U.S. Senate in 2017Read Moore

Governor Deval Patrick signed a proclamation on Juneteenth in Dorchester, MA.Read More

Juneteenth honors "a time when everyday Americans faced
the most daunting challenges. . . and still persevered," Sen. Barack
Obama said this week. He is joined by Kenton Sparrow, left, and others at news conference. Read More